DANA MILBANK: THE RULES DON’T APPLY, HE THOUGHT

“No, sir,” Jackson replied, then reconsidered. “I did have a beer last night.”

Might that impair his judgment?

“I’ve never been more clear in my life,” Jackson said, stealing a look at his wife. He glanced back again after the judge mentioned the sentencing guidelines of 46 to 57 months, then he spoke with contrition when asked about the fraud charge.

“Sir, for years I lived in my campaign. I used money that should have been used for my campaign to benefit me personally,” he said.

His attorney got him a tissue from the clerk’s desk, and Jackson used it to wipe his eyes. He said he wouldn’t appeal his sentence: “I have no interest in wasting the taxpayers’ time or money.”

Jackson was told to surrender his passport, then sent on his way. He kissed his mother and put a hand on his famous father’s back as he left the courtroom; the elder Jackson, wearing orthopedic shoes, walked slowly and declined to talk to reporters.

In front of the courthouse, Jackson’s attorney, Reid Weingarten, said he is hopeful that Jackson’s illness and the fact that he has young children will lessen his sentence. “There will be another chapter in Jesse Jackson’s life,” he predicted.

Possibly. But you don’t need a gold-plated Rolex to know this will take some time.